Tag: 1978
-
Prince, For You, 1978 on Warner Bros.
This was the debut album from his purple majesty, with all songs written, performed, and recorded by Prince himself. Recorded at the Record Plant in Sausalito CA. It’s not my favorite of his albums but it shows his early promise and he was doing it all himself. Very sexy and funky even now. My copy—via…
-
The Band, The Last Waltz, 1978 on Warner Bros
Album from the move documenting The Band’s “farewell concert appearance” with a stellar set of guests including Dylan but also Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young (along with many others). There are songs in the soundtrack album here that are not in the film – and the soundtrack reportedly went…
-
Nina Simone, Baltimore, 1978 on CTI
The inimitable Nina Simone recorded in Brussels in January 1978 – her first and only record with CTI (Creed Taylor Inc). Apparently she and Creed Taylor did not find good creative collaboration and she disclaimed any choice of material or creative control. “Baltimore” is the Randy Newman song from Little Criminals. Quincy Jones’ version of…
-
Bob Dylan, Street-Legal, 1978 on Columbia
This was Dylan’s 18th studio LP, made with a band that included Jerry Scheff, Ian Wallace, Alan Pasqua, Billy Cross, Steven Soles, Steve Douglas, and David Mansfield – many of whom were in the Rolling Thunder Revue. (David Mansfield also went on to be part of The Range). Not as many absolutely central Dylan songs…
-
Bob Marley & The Wailers, Babylon By Bus, 1978 on Island
Wonderful live album recorded (despite the maps on the inner sleeves showing the US leg of the tour) in Paris, Copenhagen, London, and Amsterdam. It’s 2xLP but not a gatefold. It’s die-cut in the front windows of the bus, so depending on the order you put the printed inner sleeves you determine what shows through.…
-
David Bowie, Stage, 1978 on RCA
Bowie’s second live album, following 1974’s David Live. It’s a 2xLP release, drawing on concerts from Boston, Providence, and Philadelphia. Playing with Bowie here are Carlos Alomar, Dennis Davis, George Murray, Adrian Belew, Simon House, Roger Powell, and Sean Mayes. (In essence the group that would be on Lodger). Got criticized at the time for…
-
David Bromberg, My Own House, 1978 on Fantasy
Bromberg’s 9th album as a solo artist, from 1978 – his first on Fantasy after three great Columbia records in the seventies. Bromberg is one of my favorite musicians I feel doesn’t get enough attention. Fewer guest stars here than some of his other albums, but still excellent music from Bromberg, including a number of…
-
Nick Lowe, Pure Pop for Now People, 1978 on Columbia
Issued as Jesus of Cool in the UK and elsewhere, but as Pure Pop for Now People in the US and Canada. this was NIck Lowe’s solo debut. The track list also differs between the North American and European releases. Yep Rock put out an expanded reissue in the US in 2008 under the name…
-
The Police, Outlandos D’Amour, 1978 on A&M
Outlandos D’Amour was the debut album by The Police, released on A&M in 1978. You’ll find cover variations with red, yellow, and green lettering – I don’t think there’s any logic to that, just variety. Love this whole album from the jump: “Next To You” / “So Lonely” / Roxanne” And “Hole in My Life”…
-
Mose Allison, Live 1978, 2022 on Liberation Hall
Although this was recorded (at the Showboat Lounge in Silver Spring Maryland) in 1978, it was unreleased until 2022 when it was put out as a Record Store Day release. Allison is accompanied by Tom Rutley on bass and Jerry Ganelli on drums. As the liner notes put it: Most of the material is fairly…
-
The Clash, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, 1978 on CBS / Epic
The follow up to the self-titled debut, and the first with Topper Headon on drums. It was actually the first Clash album released in the US – the debut album did not get a US release until 1979. “English Civil War” is a reworking of “Johnny Comes Marching Home” – the rest are all written…
-
Stephane Grappelli, Uptown Dance, 1978 on Columbia
Only available on vinyl, cassette, and 8-track, Grappelli is joined here by two different bands – one with Jimmy Rowles, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, and Jay Berliner and the other with Richard Tee, Anthony Jackson, Steve Gadd, Hugh McCracken, and Rubens Bassini. For my ears, this album veers at times into easy listening / fusion,…
-
Van Halen, Van Halen, 1978 on Warner Bros
The debut, self-titled album. Certainly one of the most recognizable band logos, and one millions sketched on notebooks, jackets, and the like when I was growing up. Hard to overstate the importance of Eddie Van Halen’s playing on Eruption here and the impact it had on guitar players from then on: Also included on their…
-
Willie Nelson, Stardust, 1978 on Columbia
Probably my favorite Willie Nelson album. Produced by Booker T Jones – Nelson using his newly found creative control to follow successful outlaw country records with a bunch of covers of pop songs and standards. His sister Bobbie on piano. Great version of Blue Skies, All of Me, and Georgia on My Mind, plus the…
-
Peter Gabriel, Peter Gabriel, 1978 on Atlantic.
The second in the series of self-titled albums Gabriel put out between 1977 and 1982, this one is sometimes called Peter Gabriel 2 or known as “Scratch” to differentiate it from the others, based on the cover art (by Hipgnosis). Produced by Robert Fripp, with Frippertronics on “Exposure.” In the UK this was on Charisma,…
-
Talking Heads, More Songs About Buildings and Food, 1978 on Sire.
Talking Heads, More Songs About Buildings and Food, 1978 on Sire. Second LP (following Talking Heads ’77). Such a great record – Stay Hungry, For Artists Only (“I don’t have to prove that I am creative”), that cover of Take Me To The River – part of peak era TH Via Mystic Disc in CT
-
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, Secrets, 1978 on Arista.
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, Secrets, 1978 on Arista. More 70s jazz/funk – Jackson on flute, piano, and synth bass; Scott-Heron on piano and vocals. Guests include Leon Williams, Barnett Williams, Greg Phillinganes.
-
Merle Haggard, Live From Austin TX ’78, 2008 on New West Records.
Merle Haggard, Live From Austin TX ’78, 2008 on New West Records. Recorded in 1978, relased in 2008; my copy is. 2019 reissue. One of two Live at Austin City Limits (the show, not the fesitival) LPs for Haggard – the other is from 1985 and is just titled “Live From Austin TX”